Ferret Scoozie – A Mechanism Description

 

Introduction

The Ferret Scoozie (figure 1) is a stuffed animal, which moves, makes cute noises, and vibrates, when different points on his body are press or pulled.  The Scoozie evolved from the simple stuffed animal child’s toy, with the addition of a battery powered computerized noisemaker and vibrator.  The Ferret Scoozie is approximately 24 inches long (from nose to the tip of the tail), 5 inches wide, and 4 inches thick.  The Ferret Scoozie consists of a variety of different materials such as imitation fur, felt, polyester fiber, plastic, metal, and monofilament line.  The Ferret Scoozie consists of seven visible parts:  body, tail, feet, display box, eyes, whiskers, and nose.

 

Figure 1

 

Source:  Talking Presents.  2004.  Large Scoozie Pet - Ferret.  11 October.  Internet:  http://www.talkingpresents.com/line9/tek9.asp?pg=products&specific=jocoorq0

 

Body

The body, made of imitation fur filled with polyester fiber, serves as the core of the devise.  The Body holds the battery compartment, vibrator, actuator motors, sensors, and computer that cause the Ferret Scoozie to function.  Sensors in the back, head, and stomach cause the Ferret Scoozie to wiggle, purr, twitter, and giggle.

 

Tail

The tail, made of imitation fur filled with polyester fiber, attaches to the rear of the body.  Pulling the tail activates a sensor, which causes the Ferret Scoozie to wiggle and cry.

 

Feet

The feet, made of a quilted felt material have small loops attached to the underside.  The loops serve to tie the Ferret Scoozie to the display box, or other accessory, for display.  The feet also serve to give the Ferret Scoozie a more lifelike appearance.

 

Display Box

The display box, made of cardboard, serves as a shipping container.  The fact that it resembles a woodland tree makes it an appropriate place to display the Ferret Scoozie, permanently or for resale.

 

Eyes

The eyes, made from plastic beads, mount to the head of the Scoozie.  The eyes serve to give the Ferret Scoozie a life like appearance.

 

Whiskers

The whiskers, made of monofilament line, mount to the head on each side of the nose.  The whiskers serve to make the Ferret Scoozie more life like.

 

Nose

The nose, made of felt, contains a sensor.  The sensor in the nose causes a head bob and a sneeze.  Mounted in the center of the head, the nose also serves to give the Ferret Scoozie a more life like appearance.

 

 

Arthur “Ron” Troyer

Colorado Technical University

English 200

Fall 2004